I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive

by Leslie Barnard Booth, Alexandra Finkeldey (illustrator)

A riveting informational picture book that explores the beguiling mysteries of crow behavior. Gorgeous illustrations take us into a crow's environment and community, making this an incredible—and unforgettable—reading experience.

Caw‑Caaaaw! Crows are fascinating and resilient birds. What is the secret to their abundance and survival, especially throughout winter seasons crawling with crow-eating creatures? I Am We unpacks these mysteries, exploring how and why crows roost together by the thousands and their reliance on cooperation and community.

Sharing a home in our urbanized ecosystem, crows are the ideal subject for learning about how animals interact with the environment and with each other. With dazzling color illustrations and irresistibly engaging and educational text, this beautiful, bewitching book will delight readers throughout the spooky season and all year round.

CROWS ARE EVERYWHERE: Whether hopping along the road or chattering in trees, the common crow has caught the attention of countless kids (and adults). This book turns that attention into an arresting, informative story that reveals how much we have to learn from our neighborhood bird!

EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT: I Am We directly supports learning about ecosystems, interactions, energy, and dynamics while relaying an engaging, suspenseful story that teachers, children, and caregivers won't want to put down.

TEACHES TEAMWORK: Crows have a lot in common with humans: We share an important reliance on community. Focusing on how crows cooperate, communicate, and even cuddle, this picture book highlights the positives of working together to solve a problem, imparting the value of a real-world life skill.

Perfect for:
• Kids who love birds, nature, and exciting facts
• Teachers and librarians seeking engaging STEM-related resources
• Birdwatchers and bird lovers
• Gift-givers looking for a unique Halloween or fall book for kids

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Birds, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Childrens

44 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Leslie Barnard Booth writes lyrical picture books about science and nature. She is the author of One Day This Tree Will Fall and A Stone Is a Story, both of which were named Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teaching Association and Children's Book Council. Her next book, I Am We: How Crows Come Together to Survive, releases in fall 2025. ​​Leslie lives in Portland, Oregon, with her family. Visit her at lesliebarnardbooth.com.

Reviews

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think a book about crows can't be gorgeous, you couldn't be more wrong. From its lovely, poetic text to its hauntingly beautiful art, this book is stunning! Lyrical nonfiction at its best. Don't miss it!

[DaNae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lyrical and mesmerizing look at the collaborative lives of crows.

I had this pegged for Caldecott until I realized the illustrator is Canadian. it is gorgeous.

[Lauren McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable book that had me almost cry at the break table! I love crows! I love the crow facts at the end! Also the book is GORGEOUS.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m the first to admit that crows are not my favorite birds. But crows are highly intelligent and serve a purpose. In I AM WE, readers are reminded that just like crows need each other and a community to survive, so do we. Together, we must find a way to cooperate for the greater good.

With lyrical prose and ethereal illustrations, readers will be entranced by the nightly visits by the crows. The author includes a few fact pages at the end describing the unique features and talents of crows, including their big brains, which allow them to count and make tools; their mating for life; and their communication through body language and vocalizations, among many other interesting facts. I’m certain that after reading this, you and your children will see crows differently.

See a video of the book: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQedJ8...

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" reimagined as a nonfiction study of crows being part of the Borg collective. Resistance is futile.

Dark, moody, eerie, and poetic. Not qualities my kid would have wanted in a picture book when she was four.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a picture book about a specific crow behavior: winter roosting in large groups at night. If you live near an urban area where you can go see this behavior, this book would be a good accompaniment to that trip. The illustrations are occasionally quite beautiful, always dark with color highlights of sunset, sunrise, the moon, and headlights/urban lighting. The end notes are informative. However the text of the book itself isn't particularly to my liking, trying to play too much on the "I" becoming "We" lyrically without really explaining the behavior. Perhaps a good book for slightly older children already interested in or partially knowledgable about crows, or as part of a corvid unit in a class.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars. The illustrations are gorgeous. The back matter overshadows the text. I wish some of the fascinating detail had been incorporated in the poetic body of the book. But I feel the author’s struggle to write a spear ‘readable’ text fo few hundred words, with hopes those whose interest is piqued will read the fine print.

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and lyrical look at crow behavior! These cooperative and misunderstood birds roost together for survival on cold autumn and winter nights. That group living adaptation helps them not only survive but thrive. Told in first person point of view, Barnard Booth’s poetic language makes for a gorgeous read aloud with subtle rhyme and perfect word choice. Finkeldey’s eerie Halloween and winter inspired illustrations are a great complement to the text. Back matter provides more information about crows, their intelligence, and their roosting behavior. Highly recommended for schools, libraries, and homes!

[Elizabeth E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about birds—specifically crows. The text is lyrical and informative. The illustrations are dark and mysterious. The careful placement of the text within the illustrations is gorgeous! Perfect for students studying poetry, learning about bird behaviors, or just to enjoy during the spooky season.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good nonfiction picture books have to successfully straddle the line between accuracy and engaging when it comes to information and illustrations. This book about the winter roosting behavior of crows is a wonderful example of a storytime friendly, short poetic text that still accurately conveys information. The lively and lovely illustrations add greatly to each page's ambiance, from spooky scenes to whimsical wideshots, they capture the personality and perception of crows perfectly.

[Juli Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely outstanding. Both lyrical and informative, with rich, stirring illustrations. An absolute gem.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bold text and illustrations. An excellent follow-up at the end of the book with fascinating information about crows.

[Libby Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning lyrical picture book that shares the wonder of crows roosting in large numbers during the colder months of the year.

I can’t get over the beauty of the illustrations and the format of the book itself.

Really a masterpiece!

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated story of a crow community protecting each other. The illustrations can be haunted and sometimes funny, especially the close ups!

[Brenda Lower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the glimpse into the mind of crows, how they flock and survive better as a group.

[Shruthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a delight. With gorgeous, lyrical prose that begs to be read aloud, and dark, mysterious, stunning illustrations that bring you right into the pages, I AM WE brings to life a little-known facet of crows, those extraordinary birds.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book is incredible! I love the poetic language, the drama in words and art, how it draws me in, and how it creates empathy for an animal that is ubiquitous yet often unloved. Don't miss this one!

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

For corvid lovers and fans of We Are Starlings.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the perfect time of year to share this, since the most intense flocking begins at summer's end ago and persists through Fall and Winter until early spring nesting resumes.The reasons for that are made clear, with subtlety and surety. Both rural and urban flocking is described, revealing benefits for both habitats.

The illustrations are superbly suited to the tone and details, darkly extending a sense of urgency and intensity across the pages. Flocking happens at night, and these wing-sprawling, bright-eyed birds seem both elegant and intimidating but are vulnerable within nature's food chain. Their interactivity and the beneficial effects of flocking may seem self-evident in a few cases, the the combination of visual and narrative storytelling draws readers into the lives of crows, in this case, AMERICA CROWS, among the most common variety.

If you are looking for a seasonal, slightly suspenseful, moody picture book to share in a read aloud during this fall season, give this one a try. It will offer just-right intensity and a suspenseful tone while sharing important facts about a species and its evolutionary patterns. A huge bonus, while reading, is a growing awareness of something I have said often and will say again. Birds, especially Crows and others black birds, are remarkably intelligent and worthy of respect and attention. Calling someone a "birdbrain" simply reveals ignorance of those facts. I AM WE helps make that point clear.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dramatic behavior of crows is the subject of this beautiful picture book. Short lyrical stanzas outline crows' behavior accompanied by sweeping full-spread illustrations: crows in trees, on power lines, on rooftops, flying together. The dark palette of black, gray and orange echoes the crows' mysterious presence at dusk and as night falls, their eyes glowing brightly. Readers learn how they stay in groups for safety and warmth, and how their cries can be modulated to communicate different messages. It's fun to imagine crows as accessories to the dark, spooky night, but the author and illustrator give the animals lots of respect, even affection. Facts are punctuated with onomatopoeia, which make this book fun to read aloud.

This book teaches children to respect how many animals have a sophisticated cooperative strategy. Interesting back matter follows the text for curious kids and there are selected sources as well. Kids will come away with a new appreciation for these intelligent birds.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I spill across the sky like ink—
fill the night with jagged cries.
I have one thousand eyes.”

Um, this is INCREDIBLE.

I can be very critical of books but, I mean it when I say that children’s books are KILLING it. This one is no exception.

I really LOVE how these creators brought to life this deeply fascinating world of crows.

Through beautiful, dynamic illustrations and simple but evocative prose, this storytelling duo really led readers on a journey. We learn not only about how crows navigate their often urban homes but, also, we learn about the rich, social lives these creatures share. Crows really do embody what it means to live in community.

I appreciate how this story communicates to readers both young and old the value of community and living collectively. Survival is a shared project—and what a lovely one.

Wish we could live more like crows.

Anyway.

Highly recommend this read! It reminds me that there are still good things in the world and that hope is something I can find in others, through our shared struggle towards crafting a better world for us all~

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely picture book that teaches young (and older) readers about the communal nature of crows, how they work together to forage, defend territory, avoid predators, and even conspire to steal food from animals! While the beautiful language rhymes and resonates ("So we blanket every surface. We cling to every edge. We bloom from every branch, every limb, every ledge"), the illustrations are just as beautiful, particularly those that show the sky at the descent of dusk or the dawning of day. I love all the color in the backgrounds as well as the illustrations of the crows themselves.
The book contains an informational afterword that covers topics including social learning, crow families, bird brains, crow talk, crafty foragers, winter survival, reasons for roosting, and the urban roost. There is also a short list of selected sources - several of which, as a birder, I recognize as authoritative in the field (and even have in my own collection). Remarkable for the lovely illustrations and the knowledge shared. 4 1/2 stars.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Am We is a powerful poem that sweeps us up in the social habits and camaraderie of one of our most common birds, the American crow. With lyrical language, rhyme, alliteration, and repetition, the poetic text switches between first and third person narration, to emphasize the flocks' interdependence. Lush painterly illustrations zoom in for close-ups and out for patterns to highlight the range of behaviors. These remarkable birds communicate and collaborate in many of the same ways people do, and have learned to thrive in human-built environments by taking advantage of food sources, lighting, and the scarcity of predators. As author Leslie Barnard Booth suggests, the social constructs and habits of crows can help remind us of the ways people can work together to strengthen and enhance our own communities. The back matter provides more detailed information about these fascinating avian neighbors.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am We, How Crows Come Together to Survive, is a unique story of crows that grounds you in the setting immediately. You see crows, hear crows, and eavesdrop on their lively thoughts. Booth’s compelling text speaks from the prospective of crows yet uses a voice that is relatable to human readers. These crows have needs, goals, and personalities. The lyrical writing incorporates word play, rhyme, repetition, onomatopoeia, and strong verbs. Educators can incorporate I am We into their learning for these elements alone, but the story is so engaging that it takes the lead. Finkeldey’s color choices are true to nature and pull the reader into a night in the life of crows. This book is a perfect bedtime read or campfire story, and would be a beneficial addition to classroom libraries, science centers, or discussions on story elements. A must-have!

[Ann Staats · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this beautifully done lyrical book, readers ponder the existence of the seemingly common crow. I found it fascinating to contemplate how “me turns to we.” In other words, crows use the clever strategy of safety in numbers in order to enhance their chances of survival. But this book is more than just a sharing of crow facts. It is poetic and profound and makes me think of how humans are so much better off when we work together. I enjoyed the gorgeous and mysterious illustrations. The artist brings the reader into the fascinating world of crows through dark colors and interesting perspectives. Finally, the back matter shares more about the life of a crow. Overall, this book is stunning and a true work of art.

[Julie Winterbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is simply stunning, the perfect marriage of text and illustration. Told from the point of view of a crow, the poetic text tells the story of why crows roost together and how cooperation allows them to survive cold winters and lurking predators. It’s a joy to read out loud (“When winter comes and hunger thrums”) and the illustrations are mesmerizing. They capture the beauty of the winter sky and the community formed by these mysterious, intelligent birds. Any child who has ever heard a crow caw or watched the black cloud of thousands of birds preparing to roost, will love this book. The rich back matter makes it a great choice for classrooms and libraries, too. Highly recommend.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Booth has done it again! There's something magical about her writing that draws the reader in ever so gently. Her book starts with,
"I spill across the sky like ink-
fill the night with jagged cries"
I was hooked immediately. I love the first person narration (informational fiction) that tells the crow's story from its own point of view. I also appreciate how the narrative dispells the erroneous myth that crows are linked to witchcraft or evil spells. And a much as we know about crows, there's still a lot of mystery that surrounds them. Both information and magic are weaved into this book.

[Eileen Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this lyrical picture book, Leslie Barnard Booth celebrates crows and their ability to cooperate to survive؅—and thrive as a flock. They truly are stronger together – as they combine forces to keep watch for predators, roosting as a group sometimes numbering in the thousands! They work effectively as a collective, calling out to each other, alerting each other of imminent threats. There is safety in numbers. Finkeldey’s lovely art showcases the beauty of these birds, which many take for granted. The illustrations at sunset are really beautiful! Bonus: You’ll learn some fascinating facts about these creature in the back matter.

[Nell Cross Beckerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author's books are quickly becoming ones I use for mentor texts for my own writing. What she can accomplish with such spare text is stunning, and her writing is always paired with magical illustration. I AM WE is beautifully written, filled with the mood, mystery, and menace I associate with crows and the time of day they are most active. And, as expected, after the reader is left bewitched by these birds, supportive backmatter is ready to fulfill all the questions you didn't know you had before reading the book. I'm not surprised it is racking up the starred trade reviews and I expect to see the accolades continue. Can I give it 10 stars??

[Louise M. Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat! This picture book dives into how crows cooperate to survive freezing winters and predator-filled nights. The author's unusual, yet poetic, voice pairs with perfectly eerie illustrations to create a real work of art. Deliciously lyrical word choices roll off the tongue, and beg readers to flip back to the first page and start all over again. Easy-to-read but informative back matter explains more about this intelligent bird's "power of cooperation." I predict multiple awards ahead for this gem!